Nick Levinovsky

Levinovsky went to the Saratov State Conservatory of Music to study composition, piano and theory. He entered the Soviet Army and was soon leading the jazz ensemble for the army orchestra, which won the grand prize at the local jazz festival. After his military service, Levinovsky formed a quartet and began to combine modern jazz techniques with Russian folk music. It would become a hallmark of the Levinovsky sound. Gaining recognition from his performances at jazz festivals and on Soviet radio, Levinovsky soon came to Moscow and became music director and arranger for